Driving mechanism for laundry-machines



L. W. MAMMEN.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-.13, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET Patented July 12, 1921.

L. W. MAMIVIEN.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV, 13, me.

M A MMMK I Illll 66 0/5 W Wald-LL! w, i-

lllll/IIIIIIIIIIIl/l/l IIIIN ml Jul Patented July 12, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

L. w. MAMMEN.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV, 13, 1916.

1,384,267. Patented July 12, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2264.8 I 28: r I 21 Ina/9:110?

UNITED STATES LAWRENCE W. MAMMEN,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1921.

Application filed November 13, 1916. Serial No. 131,141.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE W. MAM- MEN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Laundry-Machines, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings, which form a part of my speci cation.

My invention relates to driving mechanism more especially intended for operating power-driven washing machines and wringers, either combinedly or separately; and has for its object the provision of means whereby the direction of rotation or operation of the cylinder or agitator of the washing machine will be automatically reversed at a redetermined period.

A rther object of the invention is the provision of power-imparting means, common to the cylinder or agitator of the washing machine and to the wringer, of such construction and arrangement that operation of the wringer may be readily discontinued without in any way afi'ecting the operation of the washing machine agitator or cylinder; my improved construction being such that the wringer and the portion of driving mechanism, intimately connected therewith, may be easily disconnected for the purpose of shipping, etc., fromthe remaining portion of sald common powerim artin means. 1

furt er object of the invention is to provide means whereby the driven mechanism, intermediate of the common powerimparting means and the cylinder oragitator of the washing machine, may be quickly placed in neutral or inoperative position, so that-the cylinder. or agitator may be freely moved by hand without injury to any portion of the driving mechanism; a further purpose being to provide means whereby the direction of operation of the wringer may be quickly reversed and the position of the wrin er, relative to the washing machine proper a tered without in any way interfermg with the power-imparting means or intermediate driving mechanism.

Another object of In invention is to provide a construction w erein all of the intermeshing portions of the mechanism are readily accessible for inspection and repair;

and at the same time a construction which may be easily and comparatively noiselessly operated.

The-above enumerated objects and advantages of my invention, as well as others not set forth, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the accompanylng drawings, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of a combined washing machine and wringer provided with my improved driving mechanism, with a portion of the driving shaftcasing or sleeve shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking downwardly, with a portion of the casing-cover shown broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detail view, in elevation, of the cylinder or agitator driving mechanism and a portion of the main drlving shaft; the casings or housings for said mechanism and shaft being broken away to disclose the construction within.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line H of Fig. 3, looking in the. direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of F ig.'2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper portion of the main driving member and wringer driving mechanism, showing portions of a wringer.

1g. 7 is a detail view, in elevation, of the cylinder or agitator-driving and reversing mechanism, wlth portions of the casing or housing shown broken away; the mechanism being shown in the intermediate position just prior to a shifting of the clutch control portion thereof.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the gear housing inclosing the wringerdriving mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

.In the particular exem lification of the invention, as illustrated 1n the drawings, the driving mechanism is shown applied to a washlng machine and wringer; the outer water-holdin receptacle or tub being shown at 10 in ig. 1, having a semicylindrical bottom and provided with the supporting standards or legs 11 suitably secured to-the sides of the receptacle; the bottom portions of the standards or legs being braced by the bracing members 12 and with a cross-member or supporting element 13 suitably secured to two of the supports or legs 11 located on the same slde of I the machine.

The supporting member 13 provides suitable means for supporting a motor, indicated at 14, and also provides proper support for the stub-shaft to which the belt receiving pulley or wheel 15 is secured. The stub-shaft,to which pulley 15 is secured, is provided with a suitable worm 16,- see Figs. 2 and 5; the stub-shaft having suitable bearing in the housing or casing 17 which is secured to one of the supports and to the cross-member, as shown in Fig. 1.

The housing 17 is made of suitable depth so as to provide a grease or oil chamber for the gearing located therein; and thebottom of the housing is provided with a depending socket-portion 18 arranged to receive the ball-bearing 19 and the lower end of a vertically disposed main driving shaft '20. The shaft 20 has a socket end to receive the ballbearing 19, which provides an anti-friction thrust bearing for the shaft.

The end of the main drivin shaft 20, at a point within the housing 1 "is provided with a worm-gear 21 suitably keyed or secured to the shaft and arranged in mesh with the worm 16 so that rotation of pulley 15 will cause shaft 20 to be rotated by means of the intermeshing gearing just described.

The housing 17 is provided with a suitable top or cover 22 preferablyremovably secured to the housing by means of bolts or otherwise. The cover 22 is shown provided with an upwardly presented extended hubportion 23 arran ed to provide an elongated bearing for the s aft20. The upper end of t the hub-portion 23 is preferably shouldered,

as'sho'wn inFig. 5, so as to receive the end of the tubular sleeve 24 adapted to surround the drlve-shaft- 20 the sleeve extends upward toa boss-formed onthe under side of a gear casing 25 surrounding the gearing and clutch mechanism intermediate of the main drive-shaft 20 and the washing machine cylinder or agitator operating mechanism hereinafter described. The boss on the lower side of the casing 25 is formed so as to receive a-suitable bushing, as shown at 26,

aboutthe shaft 20.

{it a point within the housing 25, the dr1ve-shaft 20 is provided with a bevel gear '27, loosely mountedon the shaft; and the upper side of the gear 27 is provided with an extended hub or clutch element 28 adapted'to'be engaged by the clutch member 29 which is feathered on'the shaft 20, so as to rotate therewith and at the same time have sliding engagement thereon, in order to per-- with the extended hub or clutch-element 28 of gear 27 and thereby transmit rotation from shaft 20 to gear 27.

The bevel gear 27 is shown in mesh with a vertically disposed bevel gear 30, secured to a horizontally disposed shaft 31 which extends out through the sides of the housing 25 and into a housing 32 secured to the side of the washing machlne, as shown in Fig. 1, at a point coincident with the point where the stub-shaft or trunnion 33, see Fig. 4, for rotating the cylinder or agitator within the washing machine, extends through the side wall of the machine.

The housing 32 is preferably of the circular formation shown and made in two parts, to wit the upper part 32 and the lower part 32", see Fig. 7, with the abutting portions of both parts being provided with the outwardly presented hub-portions 34, 34 and 35, 35, at diametrically opposite points, adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured together as shown in Fig. 7, and provide suitable bearings for the shaft 31 which extends through the housing 32, as shown in Fig. 3. The hub-portions 34 and 35 are shown socketed to receive suitable bushings about the shaft 31, see Fig. 3.

The lower portion 32 of housing 32 is preferably provided with the integrally formed rear wall as clearly shown in Fig. 4; While the upper portion 32 is in the nature of a band adapted to fit onto the rear wall, see Fig. 4; a suitable flange may be provided as shown to maintain the top portion in proper relation with the rear wall.,

The stub-shaft or trunnion 33, whereby the cylinder or agitator of the washing machine is operated, extends into the housing 32, as shown in Fig. 4, and is there provided with the large circular bevel gear 36 secured thereto so as to rotate said shaft or trunnion 33. I

The shaft 31 at points within the housing 32, is provided With twobevel gears37 and 38, at opposite ends of the shaft. Both of these gears 37 and 38 are loosely mounted on the shaft and provided with extended hubs or clutch elements 39 and 40, respectively, presented toward each other and adapted to be engaged by a double clutch member 41 slidably secured on'theshaft '31by' a slot and pin connection, shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7. The double clutch member 41 is provided adjacent each end thereof with flanges 42 and 43 adapted to be engaged by the free end of a lever 44 which is pivotally mounted at 45 on a downwardly bowed bracket- 46 supported at'both ends to the upper portion of the casing or housing 32, as clearly relation with the flanges 42 and 43 of the double clutch member 41 when the lever is operated and brought into controlling relation with either one of said flanges. The lever 44 is formed so as to extend above and over the pivotal point 45 to the opposite side'of the bracket 46, in order to provide a portion depending below the pivotal point 45 where it is formed with a projection or pin 48 adapted to extend through a slot or opening 49 formed in an arm or plate 50 which is slidably mounted at its upper end on a rod 51. The rod 51 is secured between suitable lugs or brackets 52 formed on the rear wall of the casing 32, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The lower end of arm or plate 50 is preferably off-set as shown and suitably secured to a traveling member 53. Member 53 is internally threaded to receive a screw rod or shaft 54, which extends therethrough, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7.

The screw-rod or shaft 54 is journaled in suitable bosses, preferably formed integral with the peripheral flanges of the lower member of the casing or housing 32, as shown in Fig. 3. One end of the rod 54, to wit the end to the left in Fig. 3, is left unthreaded and has loosely mounted thereon a pinion 55 which meshes with a pinion 56 shown mounted on the extended hub or clutch-element 40 of bevel-gear 38; the pinion 56 being secured to the hub of bevel gear 38 so as to rotate therewith. The pinion 55 is held against longitudinal movement on rod 54 in any suitable manner as, for example, by collars or flan es 57 and 58; collar 57 belng shown locate within the hollow extended hub-portion 59 of the pinion 55.

The extended hub 59 is provided with suitable engaging surfaces or notches ada t- -ed to receive the protruding lu s 60 o a clutch member 61 which is slidab y mounted on rod 54, but keyed thereto so as to induce rotation of rod 54 when clutch 61 has been thrown into interlocking engagement with the extended hub 59 of pinion55.

The clutch member 61 is provided with suitable circumferential flanges at opposite ends thereof, between which the eccentrically formed head 62 of the clutch-operating lever 63 extends. The lever 63 extends through the side wall of the housing 32, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and is adapted to be oscillated. As is clearly evident from the construction, movement of the lever 63 to the left in Figs. 3 and 7, would induce the clutch member 61 to be forced into interlocking engagement with the hub 59 of pinion 55, while oscillation of lever 63 to the right in said figures would move the clutch member 61 out of clutching engagement, and thusallow pinion 55 to freely rotate on screw-rod or shaft 54 without imparting rotation to the latter; the neutral or inoperative position of the clutch being illustrated in Fig. 3.

When lever 63 has been oscillated so as to force clutch member 61 into clutching engagement with the hub of pinion 55, screwrod or shaft .54 will be rotated through the medium of pinions 55, 56, and bevel gear 38 which meshes with the large bevel gear 36. Rotation of screw-rod or shaft 54 will induce member 53 to travel lengthwise of the shaft or rod; "the direction of travel depending upon the direction of rotation of screw-rod or shaft 54. For example, with the double clutch 41 moved into clutching engagement with the hub 39 of bevel-gear 37, and with shaft 31 rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3, the bevelgear 37 will cause the gear wheel 36 to rotate clockwise or toward the right in Fig. 3, and this, in turn, will cause bevel gear 38 temove in the opposite direction of bevel gear 37. By reason of the connection between bevel gear 38 and pinion 56, the latter will rotate in similar direction as gear 38 and thereby cause pinion 55 to rotate in the direction of the arrow. If clutch 61 has been moved into clutching engagement with the hub of pinion 55, it is evident that screw-rod or shaft 54 will be caused to rotate in similar direction as pinion 55. Such rotation of rod or shaft 54 will cause member 53 to travel toward the left in Fig. 3 and therefore also induce arm 50 to move therewith; the latter sliding along at its upper end on the rod 51. By reason of the slot and pin connection between arm 50 and lever 44, the latter will also be caused to oscillate toward the left and thereby move the free end of thelever out of holding contact with the flange 42 at the right hand end of double clutch-member- 41.

In order to induce a positive movement of lever 44 into operative engagement with the flanges of clutch-member 41, I provide a tension spring 64, one end whereof is secured in any suitable manner to the free or lower end of lever 44, while the other end is secured to a suitable lug formed on the inner periphery of the housing 32, preferably at a point substantially in vertical alinement with the pivotal point 45 of lover 44; with the result that spring 64 will be in a greater extended condition when lever 44 is substantially at dead center, as disclosed in Fig. 7, and therefore in condition to exert greater pull on the lever as soon as the latter has been shifted slightl to one side of a dead center. The resu t of the construction just described is that as soon as arm 50, by reason of the slot and pin connection with lever 44, has moved the lever slightly to the left of the dead center, the tension of spring 64 will force lever 44 into positive and rapid contact with the flange 43 at the left hand end of double clutch-member 41. This will cause clutch-' member 41 to be thrown out of clutching engagement with bevel gear 37 and force it into clutching engagement with hub 40 of bevel gear 38; and by reason of the slot and pin connection between clutch 41 and shaft 31, bevel-gear 38 will be caused to rotate in similar direction with shaft 31 and thereby induce large bevel gear 36 to rotate unclockwise ,or to the left in Fig. 3.

Rotation of bevel gear 38, and therefore also pinion 56, in similar direction with shaft 31, will induce pinions 55 to rotate in ward the right in Fig. 3, which, in turn, will induce arm 50 to also slide to the right and cause lever 44 to be swung back to the position shown in Fig. 3 after the opposite end of the slot or opening in arm 50 has been brought into striking engagement with pin 48 on lever 44.

With a difference in the sizes of the gearing intermediate of screw-rod or shaft 54 and bevel gear 38, screw-rod or shaft 54 will be caused to rotate at the desired speed relative to the speed of shaft 31, so that by the time traveling member 53 has traveled from one extreme to the other, large bevel gear 36 will have been rotated a predetermined distance and therefore also have caused the cylinder or washin machine agitator to be rotated in a given. direction a selected number of revolutions before the clutch mechanism has been shifted so as to induce a reverse operation of the cylinder or agitator.

Lever 63, preferably at a point in proximity to its axis, is provided with a short arm 65, see Figs. 4 and 7, to which is pivoted a link 66. The opposite end of link 66 is pivoted to a lever 67 which is pivotally mounted in the gear casing or housing 25 and arranged to control the clutch 29 which is slidably keyed on vertical shaft 20 and whereby bevel gear 27 is operatively' connected to shaft 20. The inner end of lever 67, like lever 63, is preferably provided with an eccentrically disposed head 68 arranged between the circumferential flanges 69, 69 of clutch-member 29. As is evident from the construction just described, when clutch 29 has been moved to neutral or inoperative position, clutch-member 61 will chine to be freely rotated for the purpose of obtaining access thereto without causing injury to any of the driving mechanism.

The lower portion 32 of housing 32 is preferably provided with a partial outer wall, as shown at 32, extending to a point slightly above screw-rod or shaft 54 so as to provide an inclosed grease or oil chamber which enables lubricant to be supplied to all of the inclosed gearing within the housing.

The outer side of the housing 32, above the partial outer wall 32, is provided with a cover 32 see Fig. 4, which may be secured in place in any suitable manner, as for example by providing the lower part with an off-set lip or lug adapted to take rearward of the partial wall 32 while the upper part may be provided with a setscrew or bolt,

as indicated at 70 in Fig. 4. As is apparent from the construction, the cover 32 may be readily removed and thus completely disclose the mechanism within the housing; and by reason of the formation of the housing in two portions or parts as previously described, it is evident that the gearing and other inclosed mechanism may be easily assembled and put into place and the housing readily placed about the end of the shaft.

Where the driving mechanism is also intended to transmit power to a wringer," I prefer toconstruct the vertically disposed drive shaft 20 in two parts, as disclosed in Fig.6, so that said wringer driving mechanisni, together with the wringer, may be removed from operative position and placed in the washing machine for shipping, etc. The lower portion of shaft 20 is shown ex: tended upward beyond the gear housing or casing 25, with the upper end preferably provided with a ferrule or collar 71 secured thereto by means of a pin, or otherwise, so as to rotate with the shaft. The ferrule provides suitable bearing against the outer .covering or sleeve 7 2 surrounding the shaft 20 above the housing or casing25 and thus not only prevents lateral movement of the shaft, but also provides 'a union or interlocking element with the upper section 20* of the shaft so as to transmit motion thereto. The lower end of the upper shaft-section 20 is also preferably provided with a ferrule 7 3 secured in any suitable manner to the shaft-section so as to rotate therewith. The ferrule 73 is grooved or slotted to receive the upwardly presented lug 74 on the ferrule 71, whereby rotation of the lower shaft-section 20 will be imparted to the u per shaft-section 20; the interlocking ferrmes also inducing proper centering of the shaft-sections while the same are being assembled.

The covering sleeve 72 at its lower end is placed in a suitable groove or boss formed on the upper side of the housing'25, see Fig. 3; while the upper end of the sleeve-covering 72 is preferably shown extending into a socket in the cylindrical portion of casting 75, see Fig. 6. The internal diameter of casting 75 is larger than the diameter of shaft-section 20 so as to also receive the elongated hub-portion 76 of the lower casting 77, which latter, in conjunction with the upper casting 7 8, is adapted to provide a suitable housing for the gearing whereby power is transmitted to the wringer indicated at 79 in Figs. 1 and 6. The casting is flanged as shown at 75 in Fig. 1 to provide means for securing the casting 75 to the washin machine. The hub-portion 76 provides sultable bearing for the shaft-sections 20 and extends preferably to a point substantially in contact with a ferrulemember 73, so that longitudinal movement of shaft-section 20 in the lower portion 77 of the housing will be prevented after the bevel gear 80 has been secured to the upper end of shaft-section 20 In the preferred construction, the lower casting 77 of the housing is provided with a socket adapted to receive the hub-portion 81 of the gear 80; the socket being of such diameter or size as to permit free rotation of hub 81 and therefore also of gear 80; the socket provid ing a suitablegrease or lubricant-receiving chamber whereby lubricant will be supplied to the gearing as well as to the shaft-section; the casting at a point surrounding the shaftreceiving opening within socket or chamber being preferably provided with a slight boss, as shown at 82.

The bevel gear 80 meshes with the oppositely disposed bevel gears 83 and 84, both of which are preferably rovided with ex- ,tended hubs, the inward y presented portions whereof areprovided with interlocking surfaces or clutch-forming portions, as shown at 85 and 86, respectively. The bevel gears 83 and 84 are loosely mounted on a shaft 87 disposed laterally within the housing composed of the upper and lower portions 78 and 77, respectively. Both portions 77 and 78 of the housing are provided with the outwardly presented hub-portions 88 and 89, respectively, preferably having peripheral flanges at opposite ends of the hub-portions so as to provide seats for the bushing 90 whereby suitable bearing for the end of shaft 87 is provided; the inner peripheral flanges of the hub-portions also providing suitable means for engaging the hub of bevel gear 83 and thereby preventing movement of the gear lengthwise ofshaft 87 so that the bevel ear 83'will be maintained in mesh with evel gear 80.

At a suitable point intermediate of the ends of the housing, both upper and lower castings 77 and 78 are shown provided with the oppositely disposed ribs or partitions 91 and 92, respectively, adapted to provide suitable bearing for the inner end of shaft 87. The end of the shaft which extends beyond the ribs or partitions 91 and 92 is preferably provided with a ferrule 93 secured thereto so as to rotate therewith and shown similarin construction with the ferrule 71 on vertical shaft 20. The ferrule 93 has a projection or lug 94 adapted to enter a correlated socket in a ferrule 95secured to the trunnion or journal of the lower wringer roll 96 so as to impart rotation thereto. Both lower and upper castings 77 and 78 are preferably extended beyond the partitions or ribs 91 and 92 so as to provide suitable attaching points for the wringer 79, to wit the downwardly and upwardly presented flanges 97 and 98, respectively, which are adapted to be screwed or otherwise secured to the side frame of the wringer, the flanges 97 and 98 being also preferably provided with flanges adapted to engage with the sides of the wringer-frame, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, and thereby prevent any twisting movement between the castings and the wringer. The ferrule member 93, secured to the inner end of shaft 87, is adapted to take against the partitions or ribs 91 and 92, and thus prevent longitudinal movement of shaft 87 toward the left in Fig. 6, or in other words, toward the outer end of the housing.

Slidably keyed to shaft 87, by means of slot and pin connection, as indicated at 99, at a point intermediate of bevel gears 83 and 84, I provide the double clutch member 100 which is rovided with ends adapted to have inter ockin engagement with the extended hub-portions 85 and 86 of bevel gears 83 and 84, respectively. The clutchmember 100 is free to slide on shaft 87 but is adapted to rotate therewith so that rotation may be imparted to either bevel gear 83 or 84 when the clutch member is moved into clutching engagement therewith. The clutch member-100 is provided with the circumferential flanges 101 ad'acent opposite ends of the clutch member, or the purpose of receiving therebetween the eccentrically disposed head-portion 1020f the pin 103 i which extends upward through the top casting 78 of the housing and has its outer end provided with a suitable operating lever 104 secured thereto in any suitable manner. The head-portion 102 is so disposed on the lower end of pin 103 and between the circumferential flanges 101 of clutch-member 100, that rotation of pin 103, through oscillation of lever 104, will induce clutch-member 100 to be shifted either to the right or to the left from the neutral or disengaged position shown in Fig. 6. Assuming driveshaft 20 and 20 to be rotating to the left in Fig. 6, as indicated by the arrow, it is evident that when clutch-member 100 is shifted to the left in Fig. 6 and into clutchin engagement with bevel-gear 83, then sha 87, aswell as the lower wringer roll 96, will be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow on the lower wringer-roll 96; while a shifting of the clutch to the right in Fig. 6 will induce reverse rotation of shaft 87 and therefore also of lower wringer-roll 96 because of the fact that power will be imparted to shaft 87 through themedium of bevel gear 84 meshing with the bevel gear 80.

The upper and lower castings 77 and 78 are preferably both provided with lobes or cars, as shown at 105 in Fig. 1 to enable the two members to be securely bolted or secured together. The intermediate partitions or ribs 91 and 92 are located at a point so as to provide, in conjunction with the sides of the castings 77 and 78, a suitable inclosure for the gearing and prevent any interference therewith or the possibility of clothes being engaged thereby.

In order to maintain the clutch mechanism in, as well as to determine, its adjusted position, I prefer to provide the lever 104c with a detent or lug 106, see Fig. 6, adapted to extend into suitable notches or engaging surfaces provided at predeterminedpoints on the boss formation of upper casting 78.

The cylindrical casting or sleeve 75 terminates at the upper end in a circumferential flange adapted to take against the lower portion of casting 77; and at one side the cylindrical casting or sleeve 75 is provided with a slot shown at 107 for the reception of the upper end or head of a lever 108. The cylindrical casting or sleeve 75, at this point, may be provided with a pair of lugs on opposite sides of the socket 107 to receive the pin 109 whereby lever 108 is pivotally secured in place.

The lever is provided with a head so formed that when the lever 108 is raised to horizontal position, the head will force the composite gear-casing or housing and wringer upwardly and thereby also lift the shaft-section 20 out of interlocking engagement with the lower shaft-section 20. This enables the wringer and its immediate driving mechanism to be quickly thrown into inoperative position for any emergency that may arise. The head-portion of lever 108 is provided with a suitable lip 110 adapted to extend into notches 111 formed at predetermined points on the lower circumferential surface of lower casting 77, when the lever is dropped into the vertical position shown in Fig. 6; the notches being more clearly shown in 8. With the lever 108 in vertical position, the composite gear housing-and wringer will be locked against rotation about the axis of the vertical shaft.

The gear-housing and its relation to the vertical shaft, aswell as to the supporting casting 75, will permit the wringer to be swung through the arc of a circle, and to any desired degree, as indicated by the relation of notches 111 to each other, thus enabling the wringer to be employed regardless of the direction in which it is presented relative to the drive-shaft 20.

I have shown and described what I believe to be the simplest and best construction of my invention, but the same may be altered in certain details without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

WVhat I claim is:

1. Driving mechanism of the character described, comprising, .a gear adapted to transmit motion to the device to be operated, a shaft disposed transversely of said gear, a pair of gears loosely mounted on said shaft and arran ed in mesh with the first gear at diametrica ly opposite points, a double clutch slidably keyed to said shaft, intermediate of the loosely mounted gears, adapted to alternately have clutching engagement with said pair of gears, a second shaft disposed parallel with the first shaft, a member adapted to travel lengthwise of the second shaft and parallel with the direction of movement of said double clutch, gearing intermediate of one of the loosely mounted gears and said second shaft whereby the latter is rotated alternately in opposite directions and said member causedto travel in opposite directions lengthwise of said second shaft, and spring-controlled means operatively connected with said member and adapted to move into engagement with said double clutch whereby the latter is forced into clutching engagement with the selectivegear of said loosely mounted gears.

2. Driving mechanism of the character described, comprising a casing, a gear rotatably mounted in the casing and adapted to transmit motion to the device to be operated, a

shaft arranged in said casing transversely of said gear, a pair of gears loosely mounted on said shaft in mesh with the first gear at diametrically opposite points, a double clutch slidably keyed to said shaft intermediate of the loosely mounted gears and adapted to have clutching engagement therewith, a screw-shaft arranged parallel with the first shaft, gears intermediate of the screw-shaft and one of the loosely mounted gears adapted to alternately rotat the screw-shaft in opposite directions, means whereby said last gears may be placed in operative relation with the screwmounted' in said casing and arranged to' travellengthwise of the screw-shaft, a sechaft, a member slidably 0nd member pivotally mounted in the casing and adapted to shift the double clutch, said second member having slot and pin connection with the first mentioned member, and a spring secured to the casing and to said second member whereby the latter. is ositivel moved beyond dead center and t e clutc forced into engagement with the selective gear of said loosely mounted gears.

3. Driving mechanism of the class described, comprising a casing, a gear mounted on one wall of the casing, a drive shaft journaled in said casing transversely of said gear, a pair of gears loosely mounted on said shaft and in mesh with the first gear at diametricall opposite points, a double clutch slidably eyed on the shaftintermediate of the loosely mounted gears, adapted to alternately have clutching engagement with both of said gears, a screw-shaft journaled in said casing parallel with the first shaft, 2. gear loosely mounted on said screw-shaft, a gear operatively secured to one of the loosely mounted gears and arranged in mesh with the gear on the screw-shaft, a clutch slidably keyed on said screw-shaft whereby operative connection between said shaft and its loosely mounted gear may be effected, a lever mounted in said casing whereby said last mentioned clutch may be actuated, a member slidably mounted in the casing and having threaded relation with the screwshaft so as to travel lengthwise thereof, alternately in opposite directions, as the direction of rotation of said screw-shaft is altered, a lever pivotally mounted in the casing and having yieldlng operative relation with said slidably mounted member, and means whereby said lever is placed under pressure and positive actuation of the double clutch induced when said lever has been moved to either side of its pivotal point.

4:. In driving mechanism of the class described, a casing, a gear journaled in one wall of the casing, a drive shaft journaled in said casing and disposed transversely of said gear, a pair of loosely mounted gears on said drive shaft arranged in mesh with the first mentioned gear, a double clutch member slidably ke ed to said driv shaft at a point intermedlate of said loosely mounted gears and adapted to alternately have clutching engagement with both of said loosely mounted gears, a screw shaft journaled in said casing, means whereby the screw shaft is rotated through rotation of the drive shaft, means slidably mounted in said casing and adapted to be affected by said screw shaft, a member pivotally mounted in said casing arranged to be controlled by said means and adapted to control said clutch member, and tension-applying means for said pivotally mounted member whereby said member is forced intopositive engagement with said clutch member.

5. In driving mechanism of the class described, a casing, a gear journaled in one wall of the casing and adapted to transmit power to the device to be operated, a drive shaft journaled in said casing, a pair of loosely mounted gears arranged in mesh with said first mentioned gear so as to rotate therewith, a double clutch member slidably keyed to the shaft at a point intermediate of ate of said screw shaft and the drive shaft whereby rotation of the latter is imparted to the former, means mounted on said screw shaft and adapted to travel lengthwise thereof, a bracket in said casing, a member pivotally mounted on said bracket and having slot and pin connection with said means, and tension-applying mechanism in said casing having controlling relation with said pivoted member whereby positive action of said member toward either side of its pivotal point is induced and the clutch member alternately moved into clutching enga ement with the loosely mounted gears.

6. in driving mechanism of the class described, a gear casing, a power-transmitting gear journaled in one wall thereof, a drive shaft j'ournaled in said casing, a pair of loosely mounted gears on said shaft arranged in mesh with said first mentioned gear at diametrically opposite points, a clutch member slidably keyed on said shaft and adapted to have clutching engagement with either of said loosely mounted gears, a screw shaft journaled in the casing and arranged to be rotated through the rotation of the drive shaft, means mounted on said screw shaft and arranged to travel lengthwise thereof in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of said first mentioned gear, a bracket secured in said gear casing, a member pivotally mounted on said bracket and having slot and pin connection with said means whereby said member is oscillated, said member being adapted to control the position of said clutch member, and a spring secured at one end to said pivoted member and at the other end to said casing at a point substantially in vertical alinement with the pivotal point of said pivoted member whereby the latter is positively forced into controlling relation with said clutch member when said pivoted member is moved to either side of its pivotal point.

7. In driving mechanism of the class described, a casing, a power-transmitting gear journaled in one wall thereof, a drive shaft journaled in the casing and disposed transversely of the gear, a pair of loosely mounted gears on said drive shaft arranged in mesh with the first mentioned gear at diametrically opposite points, a double clutch member slidably keyed on said shaft at a point intermediate of the loosely mounted gears and adapted to alternately have clutching engagement with both of said loosely mounted gears, a screw shaft journaled in the casing, gearing intermediate of the drive shaft and said screw shaft whereby the latter is rotated, means mounted on the screw shaft and adapted to travel lengthwise thereof in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the first mentioned gear,

a spring-controlled member pivetally' mounted in said casing and adapted to have controlling relation with said clutch member,

said pivoted member having slot and pin connection withsaid means, and mechanism intermediate of the screw shaft and its power-transmitting gearing whereby the 0p- LAWRENCE w. MAMMEN.

Witnesses: a

GEORGE HEIDMAN, F. A. FLORELL. 

